System and method for providing telecommunications service using a wireless link

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing telecommunications service to users in a service area using a wireless link. An office-side connection system is provided for connecting a local distribution system to the central office switch. The local distribution system includes a cross-connect system and a radio for linking to a second local distribution system. The second distribution system includes subscriber connections for connecting to the user telecommunications devices. The radio may be enclosed in a hut or cabinet with the cross-connect system. The radio may also be enclosed in a hut while the cross-connect system is enclosed in a cabinet. The radio may be temporary to provide a temporary radio link until a permanent optical or copper cable can replace the radio.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to telecommunications systems and moreparticularly to systems for connecting users in a service area totelecommunications service.

B. Description of Related Art

Growing cities and towns or new towns in rural areas require aninfrastructure of basic services. One such service is telephone service.To provide the infrastructure for telephone service, telephone serviceproviders deploy copper or fiber-optic cable from a central office (CO)to the customer locations and build any structures associated withdeployment of the cable.

Telephone service providers typically deploy the cable by connectingcables having successively lower capacities between the CO and thecustomer location. Cables with a first capacity, such as for example,DS3 cable, is deployed between a CO and a service area interface. A DS3cable can carry a DS3 signal, which is a digital telephone signal thattransmits at 44.736 Mbs. A DS3 cable is capable of carrying 672 pulsecode modulation (PCM) voice channels. At the service area interface, theDS3 cable may be divided into several cables, which can carry 96 voicechannels, or DS1 cables, which can carry 24 voice channels. The lowercapacity cables branch out from the service area interface to differentareas such that each DS1 cable serves a group of customers. DS1 cablesextend to a terminal from which drops are made to a network interface ata customer's location.

The DS1 signals can be carried on either optical or copper cables. DS3signals are carried by optical cables. Signals having higher capacitiesmay be carried by optical, coaxial or by radio or wave-guides.

Prior to the use of optical cable, radio was historically used forinter-office trunking because of its capacity and to take advantage ofthe central office structure, which provided environmentally controlledconditions. The high density traffic carried over inter-office/ trunkingjustifies the cost of using radio, particularly in mountainous orotherwise harsh environments where installing cable would be moreexpensive.

The cables are typically buried, or carried in underground conduits,although copper cables may be supported on telephone poles.

The cables terminate at the service area interfaces or at the terminalsin structures that are built by the service providers. The structuresmay be huts, which have facilities for environmental conditioning suchas power, fans, heating and air conditioning. The service providers mayalso build cabinets, which are lower cost structures that are typicallyused for cross-connections and electronic equipment.

Growth in some areas can be so fast that telephone service providershave difficulty in keeping up with demand for service. First of all,depending on the distance to the nearest terminal or end office, theprocess of burying the cable, or laying the conduits may betime-consuming. Moreover, the process of acquiring the land, whether bypurchase or by lease, prior to installing the cable may result infurther and more unpredictable delays.

It would be desirable for service providers to provide an infrastructurefor telephone service quickly and efficiently.

Additionally, in areas where cable is best suited to provide service, itwould be desirable to provide a temporary medium for telephone servicethat can be deployed in a more timely manner that is re-usable andeasily removed when permanent cable installations are available.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments of the invention are described below inconjunction with the appended drawing figures, wherein like referencenumerals refer to like elements in the various figures, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network illustratingthe distribution of telecommunications service from the central officeto local subscribers using wireless links;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of local distribution system according to apreferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a first example of a local distributionsystem in the telecommunications network in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second example of a local distributionsystem in the telecommunications network in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third example of a local distributionsystem in the telecommunications network in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a fourth example of a local distributionsystem in the telecommunications network in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of thetelecommunications network system FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a telecommunications network 5 of the typein which the present invention finds advantageous use. The network 5 inFIG. 1 includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 24 connectedto a central office 26 by an interoffice telephone trunk 25. The centraloffice 26 includes central office switches for routing telephoneconnections to and from telephone service subscribers in a centraloffice service area 10. The central office 26 is connected to a firstlocal distribution system 6, a local second distribution system 7, and alocal third distribution system 8.

The first local distribution system 6 provides telephone service tousers in a first service area 12. The second local distribution system 7provides telephone service to users in a second service area 20 and athird service area 22. The second local distribution system 7 alsoconnects the central office 26 to the third local distribution system 8.The third local distribution system 8 provides telephone connections tousers in a fourth service area 14, a fifth service area 16 and a sixthservice area 18.

The central office switches in the central office 26 typically includesinformation regarding telephone users that are connected in a majorservice area. The switches use the information to route calls betweenusers in the PSTN 24 and users in the major service area 10. Theswitches may also monitor the usage of telephone services by the usersand perform or facilitate auxiliary telecommunications services to whichthe user may subscribe (e.g. call waiting, voice mail, call forwarding,etc.).

The local distribution systems 6, 7, 8 include connecting equipment thatprovides connections from the subscribers in the service areas to thecentral office 26. The connecting equipment, which is described furtherbelow with reference to FIGS. 2-4, includes telephone line distributionequipment such as, multiplexing equipment and cross-connect panels, andtelephone lines or cables, that provides connections between the usersand the central office 26. The telephone lines, or cables, may includecopper wire or optical links. In a preferred embodiment, the telephonelines also include radio links. The telephone line distributionequipment may be enclosed in huts or cabinets. The telecommunicationsdevices used by the users may be connected directly to the connectingequipment in the huts or cabinets. Huts and cabinets may also beconnected to each other to provide a fan out of service capacity thatextends the central office service area 10.

Huts and cabinets are structures that are built to housetelecommunications equipment. Huts are typically larger than cabinets,being large enough to include one or more shelves of equipment. Huts mayinclude environmental conditioning equipment such as, fans, airconditioning, heating and a power connection. Cabinets may only be largeenough to provide an enclosure for the equipment that is not sensitiveto environment conditions, but could also house fans. Huts and cabinetsare well known in the art and require no further description.

The first local distribution system 6 includes a cabinet 28 connected tothe central office 26 via an optical fiber 30. The cabinet 28 isconnected to a second cabinet 32 via a radio link 50. The radio link 50is implemented using a first temporary radio tower 50 a and a secondtemporary radio tower 50 b. The radios may be placed in cabinets, onpallets, skids or wheeled carts, and may be re-used once a permanentlink has been installed. The users access the telephone systems fromcustomer premises equipment (CPE) on their premises. The CPE of theusers in the service area 12 are connected to the cabinet 32 by userconnections 12 a. The user connections 12 a typically include twistedpair wires although other types of connections maybe used such ascoaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, etc. In a preferred embodiment, theconnections from the user CPE the central office 26 form a digital loopcarrier.

One advantage of the first local distribution system 6 is that itemploys the temporary radio link 50 between the first temporary radiotower 50 a and the second temporary radio tower 50 b. The temporaryradio link 50 may be employed when the users in the service area 12require telecommunications service before a cable can be buried betweenthe first cabinet 28 and the second cabinet 32. Another advantage isthat the radio equipment is reusable. Once a permanent cable isdeployed, the temporary radio link 50 may be removed and implementedelsewhere.

The second local distribution system 7 includes a first hut 36 that isconnected to a second hut 38 via a DS1 line 54. The first hut 36communicates with the central office 26 over the third radio link 52.The first hut 36 includes connections to users in the third service area22 and a connection by an optical cable 70 to a third hut 40 in thethird local distribution system 8. The third hut 40 is connected to afourth hut 42 via a radio link 56. The fourth hut 42 is connected to athird cabinet 48 for connecting to the users in the fourth service area14. The third hut 40 is also connected to a fifth hut 44 via a radiolink 58 and to a fourth cabinet 46 via a radio link 60. The radio links56, 58, 60 from the hut 40 are made using respective antennas on theradio tower 62.

The capacity or, maximum number of users connected in the localdistribution systems local distribution systems 6, 7, 8 may bedetermined by the capacity of the connecting medium (e.g. DS1, DS3,etc.), the capacity of the equipment used in the huts or the cabinetsand by desired performance characteristics.

The capacity of the connecting media may be maximized by the use ofoptical fiber. The optical links 30, 70 used in a telecommunicationsnetwork 5 may include a Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) fiber-opticcable at OC-1, OC-3 or OC-9 levels having line rates of 52 Mb/s, 155Mb/s, and 466 Mb/s, respectively. The connecting equipment in the hutsand cabinets may be configured to divide links into lower capacitylinks. For example, the optical link 70 connecting the first hut 36 withthe third hut 40 may be a n-OC-3 links, where n is determined accordingto the required capacity. The first hut 36 may provide other lowercapacity links in addition to, for example, a DS1 link 54.

The radio links 50, 52, 56, 58, 60 are preferably microwave radio links,although any suitable wireless connection may be used. The microwaveradio signal is preferably radio signal that is licensed by the FederalCommunications Commission (FCC). An unlicensed signal may also be used,if speed of deployment is important in a particular installation,preferably with a spread spectrum modulation technique

The service areas 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 comprise the central officeservice area 10. The service areas may be areas that are still growing.Each time a new user is added, it must be connected to the centraloffice 26 via its local distribution system. As users are added to aservice area, the capacity of the local distribution system may bereached such that new users may no longer be added.

Telecommunications service providers may either increase the capacity ofthe local distribution system, or build a new local distribution system.New local distribution systems are typically built in the major serviceareas 10 expands to include a new service area. One advantage of thepresent invention is that new local distributions systems may bedeployed in a relatively short amount of time. The telecommunicationsservice provider can build a new local distribution system by buildinghuts or cabinets and by erecting radio towers, and then connecting theusers to the huts or cabinets. It would not be necessary to bury cableother than the cables connected the users in the service area.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for a telecommunications distributionenclosure 100 of the type that may be used in the telecommunicationsnetwork 5 in FIG. 1. Any suitable structure containing connectingequipment may be used as the enclosure 100. Suitable structures mayinclude huts and cabinets.

The enclosure 100 in FIG. 2 shows the functions and types of equipmentthat may be used in the local distribution systems in FIG. 1. In apreferred embodiment, the connecting equipment implements digital loopcarrier connections in segments between the central office 26 and thetelecommunications devices, or CPE's on the customer premises. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, wireless digitalloop carrier can interface with other types of transmission systems suchas high bit-rate digital subscriber lines (HDSL), T-carrier orfiber-optic systems. Local distribution systems may also mix the typesof connections in one enclosure.

The enclosure 100 includes connecting equipment for communicating byradio at a radio link 103 at the radio tower 102, by fiber-optic cableat a fiber-optic outside plant 122 and by electrical signals at a coppercable outside plant 124. The connecting equipment in enclosure 100 isconnected to the central office (i.e., office-side connection) and oneor more connections to either other enclosures or subscribers (i.e.,subscribers-side connection). The office-side connection and thesubscriber-side connections may be of any type, however, a highercapacity medium such as fiber-optic cable or radio is preferable. Aprimary function of the connecting equipment is to distribute highercapacity office-side connections to lower, or the same, capacitysubscriber-side connections. In the description that follows, the radiolink 103 is the office-side connection; and the fiber outside plant 122and copper outside plant 124 are subscriber-side connections. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate, however, that the radio tower102 may be connected on the subscriber-side and one of the other outsideplants 122, 124 may be connected to the office-side of the enclosure100.

The connecting equipment in enclosure 100 may be configured in a varietyof different ways according to the type of equipment connected to it, aswell as plans for increasing capacity on the subscribers side. Forexample, the cross-connect panels may branch out on the subscribers sideand connect to other cross-connection systems that connect on asubscribers side to other distribution systems or directly tosubscribers. Alternatively, the radio side cross-connect 112 may connectonly to the electrical side cross-connect panel 116 for connecting DS0lines directly to the subscribers at the outside plant 124.

A radio tower 102 may be connected to one of several types of radios viaa radio link 103 which may be a wave guide or a cable. An optical radio104 a may be used to connect to an optical/electrical converter 117which connects to a fiber-optic cross-connect 118 by a fiber-optic cable105. The optical radio 104 may communicate at SONET OC-1, OC-3, OC-9, orOC-12 levels. The signals are converted from electrical signals tooptical signals at the optical/electrical converter 117 to provide theproper optical connections at the fiber-optic cross-connect 118. Thesignals may be communicated to the fiber-optic cross-connect panel 118for distribution over the fiber-optic cable outside plant 122. Thefiber-optic cross-connect panel 118 in a preferred embodiment is an LGXdistribution frame from Lucent Technologies.

A digital signal radio 104 b may also be used to communicate DS3 or DS1signal levels to a digital (DS) signal line 106. The digital signal line106 may be connected to a multiplexer 108 for distribution to amultiplexed line 110. The multiplexer 108 receives digital signals fromthe DS radio 104 b. The digital signals are preferably organized aschannels of digital communication. The channels may be defined accordingto a domain that uses a characteristic of the signal for channelallocation. For example, channels may be defined in a time domain suchthat a fixed number of time slots in a signal may comprise a channelblock. Each time slot may be allocated as a separate channel to enablethe DS signal to carry independent telephone connections as data thatare transported in time slots of channel blocks. One of the time slotsmay be designated as a control channel to control channel allocation andsignaling functions. In another example, frequency slots are allocatedas channels.

The multiplexer 108 directs each channel to multiplexed line 110 thatcorresponds to a user or a group of users that is a party to thetelephone connection. The multiplexed line 110 may include a cable orbus comprising multiple signal lines connected to a cross-connect system111. The cross-connect system 111 directs signals between themultiplexed line 110 on the office-side and selected subscribersconnected to the subscriber-side outside plants at 122 and 124. In apreferred embodiment, the multiplexer 108 connects a DSm signal to alower level set of DSn signals. The preferred multiplexer 108 may bedesignated as a m/n multiplexer. For example, a 3/1 multiplexer connectsa DS3 signal to a DS1 signal.

The cross-connect system 111 in the enclosure 100 includes a radio sidecross-connect panel 112, an optical side cross-connect panel 114, and anelectrical side cross-connect panel 116. The radio side cross-connectpanel 112 provides termination for the digital signal multiplexed line110 from the radio on the office-side of the enclosure 100. The opticalside cross-connect panel 114 provides a termination for connections thatwill be made on the subscribers-side of the enclosure 100. The opticalcross-connect panel 114 is connected to the optical/electrical converter117 which is then connected to the fiber-optic cross-connect panel 118to provide optical to electrical signal conversion and multiplexing orsignal distribution functions that may be appropriate for the connectionto the fiber-optic outside plant 122.

The cross-connect system 111 may use punch down blocks with wiresconnecting the radio-side multiplexed lines to the opposite panels 114,116. The cross-connect system 111 may also be computer-based and providefor connection to an I/O terminal for configuration using acomputer-based system. Examples of cross-connect systems that may beused in a preferred embodiment include DSX-1, DSX-3, FLM (Fiber LoopMux), Lightspan, Sonoplex, QCP, DDP, etc.

The electrical cross-connect panel 116 provides termination points forconnections to copper cable lines on the subscribers-side of theenclosure 100. The lines connected to the electrical cross-connect panel116 may be lines that are to be connected to other distribution systems,lines that are to be connected directly to subscribers, or both. Thelines are typically protected by an electrical cable protection device120 to protect the connecting equipment in enclosure 100 frompotentially destructive inductive spikes or lightening. Suitableprotection devices may include gas beam protection devices, carbon blockdevices, and solid state devices.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the connectingequipment in FIG. 2 may include more equipment and devices in accordancewith specific design criteria and varying capacity requirements. FIG. 3shows an example of a configuration of the connecting equipment of theenclosure 36 in FIG. 1 in which the office-side connection includes theoffice side radio tower 52 a connected to the central office 26 fortransmitting either a DS1 or a DS3 signal over the radio link 52. It isto be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the enclosure36 may also include connecting equipment for only a DS3 connection orfor only a DS1 connection.

The enclosure 36 includes a DS1 radio 134, which receives DS1 levelsignals from the radio tower 52 b. The DS1 radio 134 is connected to adigital distribution point 138 via a DS1 line 52 b. The digitaldistribution point 138 is a terminal location used to electricallyconnect or multiplex digital signal facilities. The digital distributionpoint 138 may include cable terminations to establish electricalconnections between any two terminated DS1 network elements. Forexample, in FIG. 3, the digital distribution point 138 provideselectrical connections between the DS1 radio 134 and a radio sidecross-connect 142. In a preferred embodiment, the digital distributionpoint panel 138 includes the DDP-1 84-circuit panel from the ADCCorporation.

The digital distribution point panel 138 is connected to aradio/electrical cross-connect panel 143 via DS1 lines 140. Theradio/electrical cross-connect panel 143 includes a radio side crossconnect panel 142 and an electrical cross connect panel 144. The radioside cross-connect 142 is cross-connected to the electrical-sidecross-connect 144 using well-known cross-connect systems such as a DSXcross-connect panel, a quick-connect punch-down (QCP) panel or aLitespan™ system from DSC. The electrical-side cross-connect panel 144may be connected to various types of equipment. For example, a seconddigital distribution point 146 may connect the DS1 level lines to anoptical/electrical converter 148. The optical/electrical converter 148converts the DS1 signals to a signal in SONET format for transmission ona fiber-optic cable. The fiber-optic cable may be connected to afiber-optic cross-connect panel 150 for distribution to otherdistribution systems connected via the fiber-optic outside plan 70.

The electrical side cross-connect panel 144 may also be connected to themultiplexer 1/0 152 for multiplexing a DS1 level line to several DS0level lines. The DS0 level lines are connected to a DS0 electrical cableprotection 153, which is connected to the DS0 lines on the copper cableoutside plant 124. The multiplexer 1/0 152 in a preferred embodiment isthe Litespan™ 2000 system from DSC. The Litespan™ 2000 system ispreferred because it can hand off DS1 lines and DSQ lines and providemultiplexing cross-connect functions and signal conversion forfiber-optic cable.

The electrical cross-connect panel 144 may also be connected to arepeater 154. The repeater 154 includes signal amplifiers for boosting asignal that may be part of a connection traversing a long distance. Therepeater 154 may be connected to a second cross-connect system 156 thatincludes a first cross-connect panel 157 and a second cross-connectpanel 158. The second cross-connect panel 158 is connected to DS1 linesthat comprise the copper outside plant 54 from the subscribers side ofthe enclosure 100 which is protected by a DS1 electrical cableprotection 160.

FIG. 4 shows enclosure 36 having an office-side connection to a DS3radio link 52. The connecting equipment for distributing signalsreceived at a DS3 level in enclosure 36 includes a DS3 radio 164 whichreceives DS3 level signals from the radio tower 52 b. The DS3 radio 164is connected to a DSX-3 cross-connect system 168 via DS3 lines 166. TheDSX-3 cross-connect system includes a first DSX-3 panel 169 and a secondDSX-3 cross-connect panel 170. The DSX-3 cross-connect system 168 may beimplemented in a preferred embodiment using a DSX cross-connect systemfrom the ADC Corporation.

The DSX cross-connect system 168 may be connected to a fiber multiplexer172. The fiber multiplexer 172 provides signal conversion andmultiplexing functions for connecting an electrical DS3 line to afiber-optic line. The fiber multiplexer 172 may then be connected to afiber-optic cross-connect panel 174 for distributing fiber-optic signalsover the fiber-optic plant 70. In a preferred embodiment, the fibermultiplexer 172 and the fiber-optic cross-connect panel 174 may beimplemented using an FLM 150 from Fujitsu and an LGX distribution framefrom Lucent Technologies.

The DSX cross-connect panel 168 may also be connected to a multiplexer3/1 176. The multiplexer 3/1 176 distributes the DS3 level signals asDS1 level signals. The DS1 signals may then be processed at a DS1processing connecting equipment, which may include any of the DS1processing equipment in FIG. 3 starting from the digital distributionpoint 138 as discussed above. It is to be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that the multiplexer 3/1 176 and any other element thatperforms multiplexing functions described herein also performsde-multiplexing functions for signals that travel from the office-sideto the subscriber-side and multiplexing functions for signals thattravel from the subscriber-side to the office-side.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the third hut 40 in FIG. 1, which isconnected on the office-side to the first hut 36 via the optical link70. The third hut 40 includes distribution equipment for distributingtelecommunications service over radio links 56, 58, 60. The third hut 40includes a fiber optic cross-connect panel 182, an optical/electricalconverter 184, a m/n multiplexer 186, a DSX cross-connect 188 and DSnradios 192, 194, 196. The optical link 70 that connects the third hut 40in FIG. 4 to the central office is an OC-1 optical link. The connectingequipment in the hut 40 multiplexes the DS3 to DS1 links carried by theDS1 radios 192, 194, 196. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that other signal levels may be processed by the connectingequipment in the hut 40.

The fiber optic cross connect panel 182 is connected to the office sideoptical link 70 and provides a cross-connect function for the fiberoptic link 70. In a preferred embodiment, the fiber optic cross connectpanel 182 includes the LGX distribution system from Lucent Technologies.

The fiber optic cross connect panel 182 connects to theoptical/electrical converter 184 which converts the optical OC-1 signalto an electrical signal. The DS3 signal is multiplexed to DS1 signals bythe 3/1 multiplexer 186. The DS1 lines are connected to the DSX crossconnect panel 188 for distribution to the DS1 radios 192, 194, 196 thatconnect to the subscribers.

FIG. 6 shows the cabinet 46 in the local distribution system 8. Thecabinet 46 includes a digital interface unit 206 connected to a radiointerface unit 200. The radio interface unit 200 communicates DS1 levelsignals over the radio antenna 62. The digital interface unit 206connects DS1 lines to a digital signal cross connect 208. The digitalsignal cross connect 208 connects to a wide band protection unit 210,which provides electrical protection for the higher frequency DS1 lines.The wide band protection unit 210 connects the DS1 lines to a digitalloop carrier 212. The wide band protection unit 210 may include gas beamprotection devices, carbon block devices, and solid state devices. Thedigital loop carrier 212 is known in the art and, in a preferredembodiment, may be implemented using a Litespan system from the DSCCorporation. The digital loop carrier unit 212 is connected by plain oldtelephone system (POTS) lines, or DS0 lines to a narrow band protectionunit 214 which provides electrical protection to the lower frequency DS0lines. The narrow band protection unit 214 may include gas beamprotection devices, carbon block devices, and solid state devices. TheDS0 lines are connected to the subscriber area interface 218 via asplice cabinet 216.

The cabinet 46 includes an AC power input 220 connected to an AC line222. The AC power input 220 is connected to a rectifier 224 whichconverts the AC to DC power used by the electronic equipment in thecabinet 46. The rectifier 224 includes a 48 VDC output to a fuse alarmpower unit 226 on the digital loop carrier unit 212. The fuse alarmpower unit 226 is connected to a fan/thermostat 228 used for maintainingthe temperature in the cabinet 46 sufficiently cool to permit theelectronic equipment to run. The cabinet 46 may include a battery backup250 to maintain service when the power fails.

The cabinet 46 in FIG. 6 may be advantageously used to set up atemporary telecommunications link such as the temporary radio link 50 ain FIG. 1 while permanent optical or copper plants are being deployed.The cabinet 46 may be used for a temporary radio link by using aremovable radio frequency unit 200. In one example, the radio frequencyunit 200 may be provided on a pallet, skid or pole with the antenna 60 awhile the radio link is operational. The digital interface unit 206, theradio frequency unit 200 and antenna 60 a may then be removed andreplaced with a fiber optic cross connect or a digital distributionpoint when a fiber optic or copper plant is available. In anotherexample, the radio frequency unit 200 and the digital interface unit 206may be provided as one component on a shelf in the cabinet 46. The radiomay then be removed from the shelf when the fiber or copper plants areavailable and replaced with the appropriate components.

Using a cabinet such as the cabinet 28 in FIG. 1, or using a hut such asthe hut 40 in FIG. 1, a method for installing telecommunications servicemay be implemented for either temporary use of the radio while copper orfiber plants are being deployed. The temporary radio link 50 permits thetelephone service provider to respond quickly to requests for service.For example, a user in the service area 12 may be the first user in thenew service area 12 to require service. The service provider may performa temporary installation such as the one shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Install the cabinet having: A next generation digital loopcarrier system A first digital signal cross-connect (DSX) panel A secondDSX panel A protection device Connect a cable between the user locationin the service area and the second DSX panel Connect a first temporaryradio to the second hut Connect a second temporary radio having a thirdDSX panel and a protection device to the cabinet with cable Configurethe first DSX panel, the second DSX panel, the third DSX panel and theradio link to provide a connection between the user location and thecentral office.

The method of Table 1 may be augmented during the expansion of thenumber of users in the new service area by configuring new users at theDSX panels and at the radio link. At a future time, a hard link 195(shown in FIG. 1 connecting the cabinet 28 to the cabinet 32), which maybe an optical connection, may be installed to replace the radio link.The first and second temporary radios may be removed and re-used foranother temporary link.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment for a telecommunications network300 wherein a central office 302 and a network operations center 304 arecommunicatively connected to a radio cabinet 306 with a cabledistribution cabinet 308. The radio cabinet 306 is used to house radioequipment for a radio link 301 with the central office 302 and the cabledistribution cabinet 308 is used to house cable distribution equipmentfor connecting to a plurality of subscribers 370. In addition to thedistribution equipment in the central office 302, the radio cabinet 306and the cable distribution cabinet 308, the telecommunications network300 in FIG. 7 includes a diagnostic system (described below) forcommunicating alarms to the network operations center 304 in anefficient manner and for providing system testing and alarm diagnostics.The radio cabinet 306 and the cable distribution cabinet 308 may beco-located, or they may be sufficiently remote from each other torequire repeaters.

The central office 302 includes a radio 310, which is connected toswitching equipment (not shown) for communicating with the PSTN (seeFIG. 1). The radio 310 uses the radio link 301 to communicate with theradio cabinet 306 which includes signal distribution equipment such as asubscriber side radio 346, a digital distribution point 344, a radioquick cross-connect panel 342 and a DS1 protection device 340. Thedigital distribution point 344, the radio quick cross-connect panel 342and the DS1 protection device 340 operate similar to correspondingcomponents described above. The radio quick cross-connect panel 342 andthe digital distribution point 344 are optional and are provided for theflexibility of extending to other cable distribution cabinets. The radiocabinet 306 includes an AC/DC conversion and load distribution panel330, a radio heater 338, a battery set 332, a waveguide dehydrator 336and a battery heater 334 as environmental resources for the radioequipment in the radio cabinet 306. The AC/DC conversion and loaddistribution panel 330 converts the AC power to the cabinet into a DCvoltage source, provides battery charging functions and loaddistribution within the radio cabinet 306. The batteries 332 are usedfor a DC power backup. The battery heater 334, radio heater 338 and thewaveguide dehydrator 336 provide environmental control for thedesignated elements and equipment as is known to one of ordinary skillin the art.

The cable distribution cabinet 308 includes a DS1 protection device 356,a DSX-1 cross-connect panel 354, a transmission remote terminal 352, aDS0 protection device 360 and a splice cabinet 362. The DS1 protectiondevice 356 protects the cable distribution equipment in the cabinet 308from inductive spikes and other destructive noise that may be generatedon a DS1 cable 341 between the radio cabinet 306 and the cabledistribution cabinet 308. The DSX-1 cross-connect panel 354 and thetransmission remote terminal 352 distribute the DS1 signal to the DS0lines to the subscribers as described above with reference to FIG. 3.The DS0 protection device 360 protects the distribution equipment frominductive spikes and other destructive noise coming from the DS0 lines371 that extend to the subscribers 370. In a preferred embodiment, thetransmission remote terminal 352 includes a DSC Corporation Litespansystem that distributes DS1 signals to DS0 lines.

The diagnostic system in the telecommunications network 300 in FIG. 7includes equipment in a central control location for receiving thestatus of alarms that have been sensed and transmitted from remotelocations. The central control location in the network 300 in FIG. 7includes the network operations center 304, which sends diagnosticinstructions and receives responses via the central office diagnosticequipment. The central office diagnostic equipment (described furtherbelow) communicates with diagnostic equipment in the radio cabinet 306and in the cable distribution cabinet 308, and any other similarlyequipped huts or cabinets in the serving area of the central office. Thediagnostic equipment in the radio cabinet 306 and in the cabledistribution cabinet 308 includes alarm sensors and communicationsmodules. The alarm sensors sense alarm conditions and communicate theconditions to the communications modules. The communications modulesprocess the alarm conditions and report the conditions by communicatingthe conditions to the central office diagnostic equipment. The centraloffice diagnostic equipment then communicates alarm and statusconditions for the equipment in the service area of the central officeto the network operations center 304.

The network operations center 304 includes a metallic loop testcontroller 322, a radio test controller 324, and a network monitor andanalyzer 326. The metallic loop test controller 322 initiates andmonitors metallic loop testing of the connections to the subscribers 370connected to the central office 302. The metallic loop testing processis well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and require nofurther description. The radio testing controller 324 controls thecommunication of the diagnostic commands to the central office 302 andthe status information from the cabinet 306.

The central office 302 diagnostic equipment includes an extended linkmonitor (ELM) 312, a modem 314, a transmission central office terminal316, a central testing controller 318, and alarm sensors 320. The modem314 is connected to the radio testing controller 324 in the networkoperations controller 304 by a communications line 315. The radiotesting controller 324 sends diagnostic commands and receives diagnosticinformation to and from the modem 314 via the communications line 315.The modem sends the diagnostic commands to the extended link monitor 312for processing and any commands that should be sent to the radio cabinet306 are communicated over the radio link 301.

The central testing controller 318 is connected to the metallic looptesting controller 322 in the network operations center 304. The centraltesting controller 318 controls metallic loop testing operations withthe subscriber lines in the service area of the central office 302 byinterrogating metallic loop test unit 358 b (described below). Thecentral testing controller 318 may initiate metallic loop testing bysending commands through the transmission central office terminal 316.The transmission central office terminal 316 also extracts alarminformation from the communications lines in the central office 302.

The alarm sensors 320 include sensors to communicate network problemssuch as equipment failures and environmental alarms. The alarm sensor320 includes a radio input 311 a, a radio cabinet input 311 b, and acable cabinet input 311 c. The radio input 311 a communicates alarminformation that is generated upon an alarm condition sensed in theradio 310. The radio cabinet input 311 b communicates alarm informationreceived from the alarm sensing equipment in the radio cabinet 306(described further below). The cable cabinet input 311 c communicatesalarm information received from alarm sensing equipment in the cabledistribution cabinet 308 (described below). The alarm sensors 320 areconnected to the network monitor and analyzer 326 in the networkoperations center 304. An operator at the network monitor and analyzer326 may initiate requests for alarm information and receive reports orlogs on display screens or printouts. The operator may also initiatemetallic loop testing at the network monitor and analyzer 326 andreceive reports.

The radio cabinet 306 includes a radio with ELM 346, which is connectedto alarm connections 328 for communicating alarm conditions sensed inthe area of the radio cabinet. ELM 346 receives diagnostic commands fromthe central office extended link monitor 312. The alarm connections 328are alarm sensing equipment in the radio cabinet 306 which may includesensors that detect open or short conditions, environmental conditions,equipment failures, signal degradation, etc. The radio with ELM 346connects to the signal distribution equipment as discussed above. Thesignal distribution equipment is used to communicate diagnosticinformation with the cable distribution cabinet 308. The cabledistribution cabinet 308 includes an alarm sensor 358 a and a metallicloop testing unit 358 b. The alarm sensor 358 a senses alarm conditionsuch as open or short conditions, environmental conditions, equipmentfailures, signal degradation, etc. The metallic loop testing unit 358 bmanages the metallic loop testing process at the subscriber side. Thealarm sensor 358 a and the metallic loop-testing unit 358 b communicatediagnostic information via the transmission remote terminal 352.

In a preferred embodiment, the alarm sensors 358 a and the metallic looptesting unit 358 b communicate with the radio with ELM 346 in the radiocabinet 306 by carrying the diagnostic information on a channel on theDS1 signal. The channel may be a data (e.g. RS232 channel), a voicechannel (e.g. DS0 channel), or it may be a control channel. The channelcommunicates the information over the radio link 301 with the centraloffice 302.

The advantage of using the diagnostic equipment in the network 300 inFIG. 7 is that alarms may be sensed remotely in the service area servedby the central office 302 and communicated to the central office 302which ultimately communicates the diagnostic information to the networkoperations center 304. The alarm sensor 358 a, the metallic loop testingunit 358 b, and the alarm connections 328 in the radio cabinet 306 mayeach communicate as a subscriber on a channel of the DS1 signal. Thechannel may be known to the extended link monitor 312 and to the centraltesting controller 318 to provide the diagnostic information to thenetwork operations center 304 from the extended link monitor system andfrom the metallic loop testing system. In a preferred embodiment, theextended link monitor equipment, which includes the extended linkmonitor 312 and the radio with ELM 346 may include the Alcatel MDR 6000Series radio. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic loop testingequipment may include the Wiltron Loopmate or CO Tollgrade.

One advantage of the diagnostic system shown in FIG. 7 is that problemswith the telecommunications system are monitored on an ongoing basiswith little user intervention. Reporting and test procedures may be setup to occur automatically or at scheduled times.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with presentlypreferred embodiments of the invention, persons of skill in the art willappreciate that variations may be made without departure from the scopeand spirit of the invention. This true scope and spirit is defined bythe appended claims, interpreted in light of the foregoing.

We claim:
 1. A system for providing telecommunications service to atelecommunications user in a service area comprising: an office-sideconnection system comprising an office interface for communicating witha central office switch, a first cross connect panel and an areainterface for communicating with the user in the service area, the firstcross connect panel being operable to direct telecommunications signalsbetween the area interface and the office interface; the area interfaceconnected to a radio link for communicating to the service area, theradio link comprising an office-side radio and an area interface radio;the area interface radio being connected to an area-side connectionsystem located in the service area, the area-side connection systemcomprising a second cross-connect panel, a subscriber line beingconnected to a user equipment for use by said telecommunications user;the office interface being connected to a line distribution system, saidline distribution system comprising: a second office-side connectionsystem comprising a second office interface for communicating with thecentral office switch, third cross connect panel and a second areainterface for communicating with the user in the service area, the thirdcross connect panel being operable to direct communications signalsbetween the second area interface and the second office interface; andthe second area interface connected to the office interface.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said office-side connection system includes acable termination connected to an office link.
 3. The system of claim 2wherein the office link includes an optical link and the cabletermination includes an optical/electrical converter system.
 4. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein the office link includes a copper cable linkand the cable termination includes a next generation digital loopcarrier system.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the office interfaceincludes n-line distribution systems, said n-line distribution systemscomprising n-second office-side connection systems.
 6. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising an office-side radio link between the officeinterface and said second area interface, the office-side radio linkcomprising a second office-side radio and a second area interface radio.7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a hut for enclosing saidoffice-side connection system and the office-side radio.
 8. The systemof claim 1 further comprising a cabinet for enclosing said office-sideconnection system and the office-side radio.
 9. The system of claim 1further comprising a hut for enclosing the office-side connection systemand a cabinet for enclosing the office-side radio.
 10. A system forproviding telecommunications service to a telecommunications user in aservice area comprising: a switching system in an end office located ina major service area that includes the service area, the switchingsystem comprising: an interface to a plurality of telecommunicationsuser devices connected to each other on a public switchedtelecommunications network; an office-side radio; and atelecommunications switch for connecting the telecommunications userdevices to a plurality of selected user devices in the service area viathe office-side radio; and a service area connection system in adistribution enclosure including a hut for enclosing said cross-connectsystem and a cabinet for enclosing the area-side radio located in theservice area, the distribution system comprising a cross-connect panelconnected to an area side radio and to subscriber lines extending to theplurality of selected user devices in the service area, thecross-connect panel being operative to select the subscriber lines forcommunicating the telecommunications signals; and a radio link betweenthe office-side and area-side radios for connecting the switching systemto the distribution system.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein thedistribution enclosure includes a hut for enclosing said area side radioand said cross-connect system.
 12. The system of claim 10 wherein thedistribution enclosure includes a cabinet for enclosing said area sideradio and said cross-connect system.
 13. A system for providingtelecommunications service to a telecommunications user in a servicearea comprising: a switching system in an end office located in a majorservice area that includes the service area, the end office including aradio testing controller and a central office alarm sensor, the centraloffice alarm sensor being communicably connected to the radio testingcontroller, the switching system comprising: an interface to a pluralityof telecommunications user devices connected to each other on a publicswitched telecommunications network; an office-side radio; and atelecommunications switch for connecting the telecommunications userdevices to a plurality of selected user devices in the service area viathe office-side radio; and a service area connection system in adistribution enclosure located in the service area, the distributionsystem comprising a cross-connect panel connected to an area side radioand to subscriber lines extending to the plurality of selected userdevices in the service area, the cross-connect panel being operative toselect the subscriber lines for communicating the telecommunicationssignals, the distribution enclosure including at least one remote alarmsensor; the remote alarm sensor being communicably connected to theradio testing controller; and a radio link between the office-side andarea-side radios for connecting the switching system to the distributionsystem.
 14. A system for providing telecommunications service to atelecommunications user in a service area comprising: a switching systemin an end office located in a major service area that includes theservice area, the end office including a central testing controllerconnected to a transmission central office terminal, the transmissioncentral office terminal being communicably connected to a central officeradio, the switching system comprising: an interface to a plurality oftelecommunications user devices connected to each other on a publicswitched telecommunications network; an office-side radio; and atelecommunications switch for connecting the telecommunications userdevices to a plurality of selected user devices in the service area viathe office-side radio; and a service area connection system in adistribution enclosure located in the service area, the distributionsystem comprising a cross-connect panel connected to an area side radioand to subscriber lines extending to the plurality of selected userdevices in the service area, the cross-connect panel being operative toselect the subscriber lines for communicating the telecommunicationssignals, the distribution enclosure including a metallic loop testingunit communicably connected to the subscriber side radio, wherein thecentral testing controller initiates metallic loop testing and receivesmetallic loop testing reports from the metallic loop testing unit; and aradio link between the office-side and area-side radios for connectingthe switching system to the distribution system.
 15. A method forproviding telecommunications service in a service area comprising:connecting an office-side radio to an office-side connection system, theoffice-side connection system being connected to a central officeswitch; connecting an area-side radio to a subscriber connector;connecting telecommunications devices via a plurality of subscriberlines to the subscriber connector; creating a radio link between theoffice-side and the area-side radios; and directing telecommunicationssignals between the telecommunications devices and the central officeswitch via the radio link and the subscriber connection; enclosing theoffice-side radio in a hut; and enclosing the office-side connectionsystem in a cabinet.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:enclosing the office-side radio and the office-side connection system ina hut.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising: enclosing thearea-side radio and the subscriber connection in a hut.
 18. The methodof claim 15 further comprising: enclosing the area-side radio in a hut;and enclosing the subscriber connection in a cabinet.
 19. The method ofclaim 15 further comprising: enclosing the area-side radio and thesubscriber connection in a cabinet.